Delhi engulfed in smog as Punjab farmers burn paddy

New Delhi: The health of residents in the National Capital Region seems to be at risk, with Delhi's air quality falling sharply in the past two days. This is mainly due to the uncontrolled burning of paddy stubbles by Punjab farmers.

Delhi's air quality index has dropped considerably since Saturday, that is, by 60-80 points and is now inching towards the 'very poor' zone. Weather conditions haven't exactly helped matters.

According to the Times of India, a satellite image from NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) website on Saturday showed 'fire spots', which denote blazes on the ground, all across Punjab and parts of northern Haryana. Haze can be seen enveloping a large region of northern India, including NCR.

The NASA images are clear proof that measures taken by the Punjab government in discouraging the practice of stubble-burning have failed. Biomass burning is a major cause of air pollution in north India during this season.

Times of India further went on to quote B P Yadav, director, India Meteorological Department, saying, “The relatively still conditions have allowed the smog to hang in the air. There has also been a steady fall in temperatures in the past few days that have lowered the boundary layer of the atmosphere”.